Two more measles cases confirmed in same Clay County household

This thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the ultrastructural appearance of a single virus particle, or virion, of measles virus. (Photo: CDC)

Two more measles cases confirmed in same Clay County household

This thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the ultrastructural appearance of a single virus particle, or virion, of measles virus. (Photo: CDC)

CLAY COUNTY, Mo. — The Clay County Public Health Center announced on Friday that a sibling and the mother of an infant who was diagnosed with measles earlier this week now also have the measles. A news release indicates that all three people are currently receiving medical care and are at their home.

This thin-section transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the ultrastructural appearance of a single virus particle, or virion, of measles virus. (Photo: CDC)

Staff members are continuing to monitor the family’s treatment and the Clay County Director of Public Health said the additional cases are not surprising.

“This disease can be easily transmitted from person-to-person in a closed environment. It is not unexpected to see a cluster of measles cases occur within the same household,” Gary Zaborac stated in the news release.

The infant who was the first to contract the virus was not vaccinated and the family had recently returned from an international trip to the Pacific Rim. Measles’ symptoms begin between 7-14 days after a person is infected according to the health center and include:

Fever

Blotchy rash on the skin

Cough

Runny nose

Red, watery eyes

Lethargic feeling, achy

Tiny white spots with bluish-white centers found inside the mouth

Infants and children younger than five years old, pregnant women and people with poor immune systems stand the greatest risk of contracting measles. The infected infant was not vaccinated and the health center urges people to check and ensure that their vaccinations are up to date. For more information about measles from the Centers for Disease Control, please click on this link.